Aleeeee Real Murcia .....

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Culture Clash

Despite the
fact I have lived in Spain from more than 2 decades, I still find myself with what
I believe to be a very very British culture and mentality, especially when it
comes to football. Just today I find myself tutting and shaking my head at what
seems to be considered normal or correct, that I find either strange or just
plain wrong. I find myself wondering if it’s an age thing. Am I just getting
grumpy and finding reason to whine or find fault about everything? Is it that I’m
past it and need to keep up with the times? Probably yes. But that doesn’t mean
I’m going to keep my thoughts to myself.

Today was the
draw for the “Copa Del Rey”, the King’s Cup. I think in every country smaller
team’s players and fans group together around their TV or radio in the hope
that they’ll get dream draw. The great names of football are in there; Real
Madrid. Barcelona. Manchester United. Liverpool. The expectations bring
butterflies in the stomach. The moment comes, and you have the plum draw. YES! That’s
where the similarities come to an end.

The images
today from Xativa and Cartagena (who drew Real Madrid and Barcelona
respectively) were of an excess of celebration, as if they had won already. Scenes
of great celebration, an outpouring of joy more real and felt than that you
will see at any celebration of Real or Barça’s thirtysomethingth title winning
bash.

Now I’ve seen
lower league teams in England draw United or Liverpool, and be delighted. But theirs
seems to be a delight drawn of the chance to have a stab at putting a giant out
of the cup. Creating an upset that will enter the town’s folklore. Of giving
Rooney or Stevie G a battle and maybe even a kick. Of doing a Ronnie Radford. And in the FA Cup you
have good chance of doing just that as it’s a fair draw, no seeding, no two
legged advantage in case the big guns slip up. The champagne can wait until the
big day and if the dream comes true.

InXativa and Cartagena they already popped the
champagne, even though they know they have little or no chance of getting into
the next round. It’s become a question of economics and an adulterated draw –
ties are two legs, and the bigger team plays at home the second leg. Why? That’s
unfair advantage. In any sport, unfair advantage just isn’t cricket. They have already
won, as normal attendances in their division are nowhere near enough for the
clubs to keep the players and staff up to date with their salaries. Or pay the
taxman. Or the electricity. The chance to rub shoulders with the stars, play at
the Bernabeu or Nou Camp, exchange a shirt with a hero, and the possibility of
actually getting a couple of months pay is plenty to celebrate, as practically
the only way to fill a stadium and get the payday is to draw Real or Barça. The
romance is gone. It’s just economics.

Another “interlull”
is on the horizon. I can’t get too excited about international football these
days. There I was again rolling my eyes in disbelief seeing that Spain have
gone and selected Diego Costa – a Brazilian. He qualifies as he’s been in Spain
more than 5 years. But that doesn’t make it right, not in my eyes anyhow. Jack
Wilshere said the other day (and was crucified for it) that "The
only people who should play for England are English people. If I went to Spain
and lived there for five years, I'm not going to play for Spain”. I applaud him
for saying what he feels – and agree. I’ve been in Spain for 24 years and there
is no way I’ll support Spain over England. Hell will freeze over first.

That Diego
Costa has openly flirted himself to Spain is one thing, but that they have
actually gone ahead and selected him is another altogether. I think in England
there would be outrage if we did something similar. Here it seems as if winning
a Euro, World Cup and another Euro means that now winning another world cup is
demanded. Like the blancos demand
Real Madrid win the league every season, and by any means necessary. If that
means taking someone of another nationality, that seems to be OK if it means
they have a better chance of winning. I disagree. There are ways of winning.
For example, I find Chelsea and Man City’s endless millions mean any
achievement has a big * next to it, * meaning of little real merit. Winning internationals
by having a striker who isn’t Spanish in any way, to me is just cheating.
Frankly I’d rather lose with 11 of my own.